Machine for removing floor coverings



Jan. 15, 1957 J. F. ROBB 2,777,680

MACHINE FOR REMOVING FLOOR COVERINGS Filed April 17 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 -15E- WJ M ff if@ Jan. 15, 1957 J. F. RoBB 2,777,680

MACHINE FOR REMOVING FLOOR OOVERINGS Filed April 17, 195o s sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Jan. 15, 1957 J. F. RoBB 2,777,680

' MACHINE FOR REMOVING FLOOR oovERINGs Filed April 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent MACHINE FR REMOVING FLOGR CVERINGS John F. Robb, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assigner to .lohn W. Robb, Cleveland Heights, Shin, and Frank B. Robb, Cleveland, hio, as trustees Appncaaan April 11,'19so, sanar No. 156,269

z claims. (ci. 26a-9) This invention comprises a novel machine for removing linoleum and asphalt, rubber, or like tile coverings, from oors.

Generally, lioor coverings of the above mentioned class, properly installed, are adhesively secured to wooden, concrete or like oors, by rst applying a mastic or plastic coating which, when set, aords a substantially permanent bond between the covering and the oor. When the said door coverings are required to be removed, Vas for installation of new or substitute coverings, the removal operations ordinarily are quite laborious and time consuming due to the diiculties of separating the covering material form the oor surface. As a general thing, scraping operation by hand labor is resorted to in the removal work, with the obvious disadvantages incident thereto.

My machine of this invention vhas been designed with the primary feature of the provision of horizontal `cutters which are power driven at high speed to engage beneath the floor covering and between it and the oor, to separate the covering from the floor as the machine advances with the cutters reciprocating very fast and their cutting edges engaging the underside of the covering and working in a plane just slightly above the floor surface almost in contact with the latter.

Since the operatingwidth of a remover machine such as that of my invention is limited by considerations of weight of the machine, manual propulsion force therefor, and amount of material the machine can handle .in a single traverse over the floor in its covering removing operation, I contemplate the provision of spaced vertical, preferably rotary, cutters working in advance of the said reciprocating cutters. These vertical cutters substantially entirely sever a strip of the oor covering from the main body of the covering, and this strip is separated from and lifted E of the loor as the machine progresses forwardly in its movement. The separating action on such strip enables the latter to curl or roll upwards ahead, as the machine travels forward, an action facilitated by special guide means provided on the machine.

The vertical rotary cutters above mentioned are spaced a distance equal to the combined width of the reciprocating cutters and aligned with the outer longitudinal edges'of thetwooutermost of such latter cutters. Thus, though the vertical cutters cut almost entirelyv through the floor coveringv (not entirely, tov avoid marking the floor itself and dulling the cutters), the lift action ofV reciprocating cutters will break apart the cut strip from the body of the oor covering at the lines of general cleavage at the edges of the strip. Again, it is an object hereof to locate the vertical cutters, and thus predetermine the width of cutting strips of linoleum, or sections of asphalt or like tiles, so that the vertical cuts will be made at the joint sections of the tiles. For example, the vertical cutters are preferably spaced a distance equal to the width of two 9 tiles, these being those most commonly in use. This makes for ease of cutting separation ofthe tile sections'in strip form so to speak. f

Still another object of the invention is to provide a floor surface iinishing member operating in rear of the reciprocating cutters for removing mastic residue and irregularities on or in the oor surface, something prerequisite to enabling proper laying of a new floor covering of the types herein referred to. v

Another object of 'the invention is to provide means operable from the motor driving means for the various cutters, to engage and lift a section of edge molding, such as customarily tacked tothe oor at free edges-of linoleum, as at entrance doors to rooms, and then saw olf each lifted section'. This means is eective for action when the machine is moved in a direction opposite to that for removing the oor covering.

In conjunction ywith the foregoing various instrumentalities, I provide aV handle device for pushingrthe machine in opposite directions for the floor covering and mold removing operations by mere reversing of the direction of extension of the handle from the ends of the machine. Additionally, provisions are made for automatically conditioning driving devices for the cutters and mold lifting devices, alternately, one driving device when the handle is extended from one end of the machine, and theother driving device when the handle is extended from the other end ofthe machine.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings, and in the latter:

Figurel is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the base portion of the machine and the lower bail-like section of the handle, bringing out details of the mechanism-which is housed in the base of thernachine.

Figure 2 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the machine looking downwardly upon the various cutting, motor driving, and other instrumentalities, the guide device for receiving the strip of material which is cut and lifted in the forward progress of the machine, being omitted so that parts beneath may be more clearly seen.

Figure 3 is a detail view, somewhat enlarged, bringing out a little more clearly theV operating bell cranks intermediate the eccentric cam shaft and the horizontally movable lifting cutter carrying slides.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken about on the line 4 4 of Figure l, the, pole or main handle being broken away.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken about on the line S--S of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the eccentric cam shaft and the eccentric mounted thereon, bringing out clearly the arrangement' of the eccentric by which reciprocating movements are imparted to the various horizontal lifting cutters.

Figure 7 is a detail end View, somewhat enlarged, to bring out the construction of the mold raising device located at what will be called the rear end of the machine.

Figure 8 is a View in elevation showing the form of mold raising device shown in Figure 7, the two views representing a modication of the construction which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Figure 9 is a view showing 'the mechanical devices by which the handle controls the clutching of the forward clutch and drive belt between the motor and the eccentric cam shaft, inthe position of the parts for operating cam shaft, the iloor covering lifting horizontal cutters, and the forward vertical covering severing cutters, the handle under these conditions being inclined rearwardly so that the machine may be pushed readily in a forward direction.

Figure 10 is a kView similar to Figure 9 but illustrating the lower portion of the handle as when the latter is inclined in a direction forwardly of the machine for propelling the machine rearwardly, and further illustrating how the last mentioned adjustment of the handle inactivates the forward driving belt leading from the motor to the eccentric cam shaft, and renders active the rearward driving belt which leads from the motor to the rear shaft which supports the mold raising device and its gear connected with the rear space cutters by which the mold is sawed into a separable section.

Figure ll isa detail fragmentary sectional view illustrating the detent pin means by which the handle of the machine may be heldin a rearward inclined position, a vertical position, or a forwardly inclined position.

Figure l2 is a detail fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative or modified form of eccentric cam shaft operating means for the oor covering lifting cutters, employing spring means for normally pushing the said cutters in the direction of the operating eccentric cams on the cam shaft.

The general construction of a machine of one preferred type embodying various features of the present invention Will now be set forth.

Referring particularly to Figures l and 2, it is notable that I provide a portable base A for the machine, said base largely comprising a housing or case which may be cast or otherwise made as found desirable. of the case or base housing A are connected by spaced cross bars 1 and 2. Each of the cross bars 1 and 2 carries two pairs of lugs, the lugs of each pair designated 3 and 4 and the lug 3 of each pair being longer than the lug 4. The pairs of lugs designated 3 and 4 which extend from the bar 1 project forwardly; those lugs 3 and 4 which extend from the bar 2 project rearwardly.

Referring now to the lugs 3 and 4 extending from the bar 1, it will be noted that between these lugs, or the lugs of each pair, is disposed a forwardly extending shaftcarrying arm 5 and a pivot pin 6 passes through the lugs 3 and 4 of each pair mentioned and through the rear end of the associated arm 5 for pivotally connecting the arm 5 to the lugs upon which it is mounted. The forward ends of the two arms 5, carried by the front cross bar 1, support a cross shaft 7 on the ends of which are mounted the wheels or rollers 8 which are two of four rollers utilized for supportingrthe base A of the machine for free movement along the oor or the like.

Since certain cutting elements, later to be described, must be adjusted with considerable nicety of adjustment relative to the surface of a door, the rollers 8 just referred to are designed to be susceptible-of slight Vertical adjustment by upward and downward movement of the forward end of the arms 5 pivoted to the pairs of lugs 3 and 4. The desired adjustment is obtained by providing on the inner sides of the arms 5 lateral projections 9 supporting adjusting screws 10 which are adapted to abut with the under side of the forward ends of the longer lugs 3 of each pair referred to. By screwing the setscrews or adjustable parts 10 upwardly against the under sides of the forward ends of the lugs 3 the links 5 may be caused to move slightly downwardly to carry in the same direction the shaft 7 to provide a bearing member for the rollers or wheels 8 acting as an axle therefor.

Now in respect to the cross bar 2, it is notable that this bar is equipped with short and long lugs similarly to the manner in which the lugs 3 and 4 are formed on the bar 1 except that the lugs project rearwardly instead of.

forward. Such lugs are given the same numbers, 3 and 4, and are of the same construction as the lugs 3 and 4. Likewise, between the lugs of the rear cross bar 2 are mounted Varms 5 similar to those previously set forth and these arms carry the rear shaft or axle 7 for the rear rollers or wheels 3, and enable adjustment upwardly and downwardly of the said rollers or wheels by the same parts as previously described and numbered 9 and 10, see Figure l. Y

Thus the base A of the machine will be seen to be supported by two pairs of rollers 8, the front pair located slightly forward of a vertical central line passing through the base A, and the rear pair of rollers 8 being located fairly near to the rear end of the machine.

The sides Y For the purposes of this description the front end of the base A is the left end as seen in Figures 1 and 2, and the rear end is the right hand end as seen in said gures, so of course, it will be understood that the machine may be moved in either of opposite direction. Its main working functions will be performed however when it is moved in a forward direction or in the direction of the left end of themachine above identified.

Supported in any suitable manner, as. by means of a base bracket, upon the cross bars 1 and 2 of the base A, is the motor generally designated B, the same being of any ordinary electric type adapted to be energized or started in operation, and stopped, by means of a handle switch C carried by the handle 11 of the machine. A suitable electric conductor 12 leads from the switch C and may be provided at its free end not shown with ran electric plug for plugging into any convenient electrical outlet.

The motor shafty of theV motor B carries on one end thereof a suitable pulley 13 connected by a belt 14 with a pulley 15 fixed to an eccentric cam shaft 17 which may be mounted in any suitable bearing provided in the inner faces of the sides of the housing A. The cam shaft 17 carries a series of' separate and differently pitched eccentric cams 1S at intervals over the greater part of the length of the shaft. The cam members or eccentrics 18 are each received in the bifurcation or fork on the rear upper end of the bell crank lever 19, said bifurcation being designated 20. Rotation of the shaft 17 and the eccentric cams 18 thereon will therefore cause simultaneous oscillation of the Various bell crank levers 19 which are mounted upon a lever supporting shaft 21 located in advance of the eccentric cam shaft 17l above mentioned.

The lower end of the forward arm of each of the bell crank levers 19 is pivotally connected at 22 with a lug 23 which extends upwardly `from a horizontal cutter carrying supporting slide 24. The slide 24 is mounted to operate between a lower guide plate 25 and separate upper transverse guide members 26 and 27, the parts 25, 26 and 27, spanning the space between the sides of Vthe base A and supporting the slides 24'for free forward and rearward reciprocating movement. Each of the slides 24 carries bolted or otherwise fastened to its front end, in a recess formed in the under side of the slide, a door covering lifting cutter designated 28 and which is formed at its front end with a downwardly and -forwardly beveled edge portion. The various cutters 28 are of suicient width such that their side edge portions contact with one another and the under sides of the cutters 2S are adapted to lie in very close relation to the surface of the Boor over which the machineI of my invention is moved in theY operation of removing the floor covering.

The disposition of the horizontal cutters or cutter Y blades 28 is best seen in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

In advance of the said cutters 28 and spaced apart a distance which corresponds with the combined Width of the cutting blades 28 are the vertical cutters 29 which may have smooth edges or saw cut edges as may be found desirable. The cutters 29 are carried vby a cross shaft 30 mounted on the front end of the base A and supported by suitable bearing members carried by said base. The shaft 30 is operated at high speed by a belt 31 passing Vover a large pulley 32 on the eccentric cam shaft 17 and over a smaller pulley 33 mounted on one end of v from the body of the linoleurn on the floor. Then, as

the cutters or cutting blades 28advance under the severed strip of linoleum, the front cuttingl edges. of the blades 28, working with fast-reciprocation and operating between the door and the bottom of the linoleum, will lift theV strip of the Ylatter cut by the cutters 29. As the machine moves forwardly the elevated strip of oor covering raised or 4removed from the door by the blades 28 will pass upwardly' above the front ends of the blades over a deflector 34 which curves upwardly and rearwardly from said ends of the blades.

it is notable that since l provide the series of cutting blades 23 of a combined width which will correspond with the width of say two or three sections of asphalt tile laid on'a iioor, the tiles operated on by the blades 28 will often, by reason of their hardened condition, be readily liftable by the blade 28y even though the front cutters 29 are not available, since the vouter sides of the end blades 2S will be located at the lines of separate formation of the'tile units themselves.

The handle 11, previously referred to is a simple pole handle having a cross handle 11a at'its upper or outer end for easeof pushing of the machine. At its lower end the handle 11 has a bail-like member 11b which is pivotally connected at the lower ends of the sides thereof with the outer sides of the base A by short trunnions 35 which project from the lower ends of the member 11b into suitable bearings in the opposite sides of a base A. One of the trunnions 35 is provided with a rocker arm 36 which carries a roller 37 adapted to bear downwardly upon the upper side of the belt 14, connecting-the motor with the eccentric cam shaft 17. When the handle 11 therefore is in the position of Figure l and Figure 9 and held in such position by means of a common form of detent pin 37a engaging in a recess 38 in the adjacent outer surface of the base-A, the roller 37 by ,downward pressure upon the belt 14 will effect clutching engagement of the belt with the pulleys 13 and 15 and thus cause transmission of the driving power of the motor B to the shaft 17, in an obvious manner. The locking or detent pin 37a is carried by the side of the bail member 11b connected with the trunnion 35 Ywhich has the arm 36 extending therefrom, as seen in Figure l1.

At the rear end of the machine and supported by the cross shaft 39 are cutting saws 4Q spaced somewhat similarly to the manner of spacing of the front cutters or saws 29, and for the same purpose. The saw cutters 40 are of a diameter soY that they will cut very closely to the oor surface but not engage said surface to mark the same, just as the cutters 29 are located in a similar manner to cut'very close to the floor surface but also not suiciently close to mark the latter. K

inwardly of the shaft 39 I provide a countershaft 41 having radial arms 42 which bear on their outer end mold raising blades 43. The. blades 43 are of a length just short of the length of the space between the two rotary saws or cutter members 40.

The shaft 39 is connected to be driven from the shaft 41 by means of suitable spur gears 44 and 45, the latter engaging a spur gear 46 on the shaft 41, see Figure 2 and also Figure 9 of the drawing. The shaft 41 is driven by means of a belt 47 which passes around a pulley 4S xed vto the shaft 41 and a pulley 49 which is fixed on the motor shaft of the motor B. Normally the belt 47 is idle, and it always remains idle when the belt 14 is active to clutch the pulleys 13 and 15 together for driving of the eccentric cam shaft 17. Cooperating with the belt 47,however, is a roller 56 carried by bell crank or lever 51, and the said roller 50 normally is held in the position of Figure 9 by means of a spring actuated rod 52 connected to the lower arm of the lever 51 and passing through a guide 53 attached to the inner face of one side of the base housing A. A spring 54 encircling the rod 52 engages with a shoulder 55 upon the rod and also with the guide 53 so as to tend to force the rod 52 in a rightward direction, as seen in Figures 9 and l0 of the drawings, to maintain the roller 50 at an upward adjustment such that the belt 47 is idle.

When, however, the handle 11 of the machine is turned Figure l0, at which the rod 52 has rocked the lever 5l` downwardly so that the roller50engages with the belt 47 and causes -clutching action of said belt on the pulleys 48 and 49 over which the belt travels. Under these conditions then it will 'be seen that with the handle 11 in the position of Figure" 10, the motor will =be operably connected by the belt 47 to the shafts 41 and 39 and the said shafts will be rotated at appropriate speeds, thatfor the shaft 39 being relatively high to rotatethe saw cutters 40 at high speed.

At Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings I illustrate Ia modied form of mold raising device, one in which hook-'like moldengaging members 57 are utilized in a rotating device very similar -to that, described before `as including the parts 41, 42 and 43. The hook-like mold engaging parts v 57 will perform ka function similar to th-a't -of the engaging blades 43 previously referred to.

In Figure l2 of my drawings I show a slightly dilferent construction of horizontal cutter carrying slides designated 24a, said slides carrying the cutters 28, or cutter blades 28, of the same construction as previously set forth. The supporting guide member'25a for theA slides 24a, however, is so constructed as to enter -a slot in the under side of each of .the slide members 24a by the provision of 4a lug 25b for such purpose. Between the lug 2Sb, one ofwhich enters the slot of each slide 24a, and the rear end of the slotin the slide is an expansion spring S that normally holds the rear end Vof each slide 24a atthe bifurcated portion thereof, in -contact with the associated eccentric camlS on the'cam shaft 17. With this construction -as described, by wayA of modification of that shown in Figures l and 2 and other iigures ofthe drawings, I am able to do away with the employment of the bell cranks 19 and to obtain direct action of the eccentric cams upon the rear ends of the slides 24awhich carry the horizontal cutting blades 28.

If a door covering such aslinoleum has toY be removed from a oor and it is desired to mechanically elevate the mold section 'say at the entrance to the room in which the linoleum is laid, the operator will dispose the handleV 11 in the manner of `adjustment ras shown in Figure l0 of the drawings and push the machine in a `rearward rdirection to advance the saw cutters 40 to engage and saw through a molding located at the entrance. to Ythe said -room and at the edgeof the linoleum. As the machine is pushed further reawardlythe sawed section of the linoleum will 'be engaged by theY members 43 or members 57, as the case may be, and the molding section thus picked upwardly out of the way so that the machine is now ready for the raising operation of 'the door covering. This operation is initiated by reversing the position of the handle 11 from that shown in Figure l0 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 9. When this is done and the switch C of the motor is turned on, the belt 14 having been put in clutching engagement with the pulleys 13 and 15 by -theadjustment of the handle 11, will drive the cutters 29 and the horizontal cutting blades 'at high speed. The machine is now advanced by being moved in the ldirection of its front end, as seen in Figure l, the left end, and Ithe cutters 29, if used, will sever -a strip of the material of the floor covering from the body of the material. Thereupon the cutters or cutting blades 2S reciprocating yat high speed Will be advanced and will engage beneath and raise the floor covering so that the latter rides up the front ends of the blades 28 and up the dellector 34 and rolls upwardly and forwardly lalong said deflector 34.

The closeness ofthe movement of the cutting blades 28 to the floor will be regulated by yadjustment of dle rollers 8, as previously described. v

The closeness-of cutting action of the cutters 29 and 40 also is determined bythe adjustmentof the rollers 8 by the screws 10.

The handle 11 as seen 1n Figure 1 4may be raised to a i engages in recess 3811.

Below the motor B 1s mounted a finishing or smoothing roller 60. This may be a sanding roller or the like for the oor surface fromwhich the covering has been removed by my machine, detaching rough particles of matter or irregularities of surface in the then bared door. The roller 60 is belt driven from the motor shaft by belt 61, see Figures 1 yand 2.

At the front of the deector plate 34 is an apron `62 to prevent broken parts of the door covering, being removed, from fallingback to the floor in `advance of the blades 28. A exible ap 63 extends from the apron 62 `to the deflector 34 and enables the -detached `section or strip of iioor covering to move past it, by yielding upwardly.

summarizing, the positioning of the handle 11 as in Figure 1, and starting the motor B by switch C, will tighten or clutch the belt 14 to start the driving of the bla-des 28 and cutters 29 in forward movement of the machine. Reversing the handle 11 to the position of ,opposite inclination from that of Figure 1, i. e., that of Figure 10, with the motor still driving, will tighten or clutch the belt 47, and the parts 43 and saws 40 will be driven from the motorjB, while the blades 2S and cutters 29 are idle. The parts 43 and 40 too will be idle when the blades 28 and cutters 29 are being driven. The handle 11 performs several functions; it will enable pushing of the machine forwardly or rearwardly, `and by its adjustment different operating features are put into and out of action.

This invention contemplates that a fewer number of blades of a. width correspondingto that of several of the blades 28, or all of them 'as shown, may be used in lieu of the precise number shown in the drawings.

If -desired to discontinue the drive yof the motor to the finishing or `sanding roller `60, the belt 61 may be slipped oi the pulley 4on the motor shaft, as when the lifting member 41-43 is used. Aclutch on themotor shaft may be employed also to connect and disconnect the shaft of the motor -to the'said pulley, instead of slipping the belt 61.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim ias new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for removing floor coverings, in combination, a portable base, members supporting the said base to travelover a door, a cutter unit carried by the base and comprising a rigid horizontal cutting blade, means a to support and guide the cutting blade for horizontal movement parallel to the door on which the base travels with the underside of the blade in close relation to the floor surface, a motor, rigid reciprocal drive connecting means between the motor and the cutting blade for effecting unyielding forward movements of the blade to separate and ting blade, and a molding strip lifting device operable from the motor and carried by the base, and means operable when the handle means is in a predetermined position for drivingly connecting Vthe motor and said lifting device.

2. In a machine for removing oor coverings, in combination, a portable base, members supporting the said base to travel over a floor, a cutter unit carried by the base and comprising a vrigid Whorizontal cutting blade, means to support and guide 'the cutting blade for horizontal movement parallel to the oor on which the base travels with the underside of thek blade in close relation to the floor surface, a motor, rigid reciprocal drive connecting means between the motor and the cutting blade for effecting unyielding forward movements of the blade to separate and lift floor covering material from the iioor, in which the motor is on the base and the last means includes handle means connected to the basexadjustable to positions to operably connect, and disconnect, the motor and the cutting blade, and a molding strip lifting device operable from the motor and carried by the base, and means operable when the handle means is in a predetermined position for drivingly connectingthe motor and said lifting device, and spaced molding strip cutters on the Vbase at one side of the lifting device and operable by the motor simultaneously with the lifting device.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS A437,414 Felmlee Sept. 30, 1890 917,312 Klemm Apr. 6, 1909 1,452,493 Connor Apr. 24, 1923 1,537,946 Hume May 19, 1925 f 1,855,998 Y Shannon Apr. 26, 1932 1,979,554 Huntington Nov. 6, 1934 2,220,705 Buoker Nov. 5', 1940 2,232,367 Cherry Feb. 18, 1941 2,245,544 Miller JunelO, 1941 2,279,454 Fischer Apr. 14, 1942 2,345,425 i Phillips Mar. 28, 1944 2,468,839 Rodesci May 3, 1949 2,565,841 Conforto Aug. 28, 1951 

